Topic: ADAT Bit Bucket?

[SmokinJoe]

I have some 8 channel preamps I use for multitrack recording.  It's basically an 8 channel UA-5.  Output is ADAT (aka Lightpipe) which looks like TOSLINK, but there is 8 channels worth of data.

The standard bit buckets are (a) an Alesis HD24, (b) some sort of computer interface that connects via USB or Firewire.  I wonder if there is another option I've never found?  I know JoeCo has one for thou$ands, I'm looking for cheap.  I don't need another 24 or 32 track solution, 8 is enough, and 3 hours of recording is enough, and maybe even 16/44.  Emphasis on cheap.  I can't help but wonder if there was some device that came out during the ADAT Tape era, it was a total business failure, but it would do what I want, and I can maybe find one cheap?

Rationale:  When I'm out at a standard taping gig (not multitracking) I use my R4, and normally I'm happy with 4 channels.  Occasionally I think it would be cool to run 6 or 8 channels, like the guys with DR680's.  But I'm not going to buy a 680, I'll either use the R4 or bring the big rig (which is really heavy, so I better park close by) and only use a few channels.  I wish I could bring an 8 channel ADAT pre (which I already have), and run into some magical device, which could conceptually be as simple as a JB3.  I don't think such a think ever existed, but I figured I would ask.

[RichT]

I had a really good look for something like that a while back, the closest I could find was the Fostex VR800.  It's only 16bit, mains powered and it uses a scsi interface (and a proprietary drive format) so it's a pain to get the files off. No better than an ADAT deck really. Might work as a backup

Cheapest 'proper' option (at 24bit) is probably an HD24

RME Fireface UFX will record standalone

I think the JoeCo is your only option that can be DC powered.
 

[morst]

Try the MoTU 828. Light pipe input to Firewire.

http://www.motu.com/newsitems/828-makes-recording-technology-history

[H₂O]

http://www.steinberg.net/en/products/hardware/ur_series/ur824.html

as well

[Chris K]

I was on a similar hunt for a stand alone HD recorder a while back but basically gave up. The only real options I could find for a stand alone 8 channel hard drive recorder is the Fostex VR800 (as already mentioned) and the Fostex VF-160.

I almost pulled the trigger on the VR800 but I decided against it. The VF-160 was a bit overkill.

I ended up getting a Motu 828 (paid $150 on fleabay) attached to a macbook. For a bit more portability the MOTU Traveler looks enticing (~ $300). The Traveler MK3 has 16channels of ADAT input but is more expensive ( ~ $650 used).

[illconditioned]

Getting an inexpensive device would be great.  Then you could use cheap ADAT units, like the Behringer.

I was looking for ADAT in also, and could not find anything cheap.  However, I just noticed some of the Focusrite units have ADAT in. I think the Sapphire higher end models have it.  And these are USB devices too, so you don't have to search for a notebook with Firewire.  If these devices do have ADAT, and if it works, please post back here...

I was all set to get a Sapphire USB, but I'm waiting for Linux USB support.

  Richard

[runonce]

Getting an inexpensive device would be great.  Then you could use cheap ADAT units, like the Behringer.

I was looking for ADAT in also, and could not find anything cheap.  However, I just noticed some of the Focusrite units have ADAT in. I think the Sapphire higher end models have it.  And these are USB devices too, so you don't have to search for a notebook with Firewire.  If these devices do have ADAT, and if it works, please post back here...

I was all set to get a Sapphire USB, but I'm waiting for Linux USB support.

  Richard

Was the Lightpipe stuff part of the actual recording interface - or was it  more about moving the signals around?

[SmokinJoe]

It's a standard for flowing a digital bitstream like SPDIF, or TOSlink, except 8 channel.
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADAT_Lightpipe

I think I've found my answer. Lug the HD-24.

[morst]

And these are USB devices too, so you don't have to search for a notebook with Firewire.  If these devices do have ADAT, and if it works, please post back here...

I will not trust USB for recording. Firewire is WAAAAY more stable.

[RichT]

I will not trust USB for recording. Firewire is WAAAAY more stable.

Some newer USB devices seem to be better.  Firewire can depend on whether the controller chip in the computer talks to the interface nicely or not, and that's not just windows machines- apple has a few dodgy ones (TI chipsets seem to be reliable).

For any of these it's a matter of finding a stable system